Barkley and Shaq Are Full Of S**t
SHUT UP, CHARLES
AU had a little to say about Chuck and Shaq after the Boston game (brought to you by Kinetic of course)...
This is what happens when you have the good fortune of playing twice in a row on TNT, I suppose: An entire arc of media stimulus and response involving three former players with very particular standards and one star player not quite playing up to expectations, unfolding over the course of two games in three nights.
The narrative, as you no doubt heard ad nauseum if you were listening to the two broadcasts, was simple: On Tuesday night, Joel Embiid had an underwhelming performance against the Denver Nuggets, and was roundly criticized for it (and for his numbers on the season) in the post-game commentary from Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smtih and Charles Barkley. Embiid respectfully acknowledged the criticism pre-game yesterday afternoon, then went out and put foot to Beantown ass last night, having unquestionably his best performance of the season in a tight win against the hated Celtics. The TNT folks (including Chris Webebr on the call) tore multiple hand ligaments spending all night patting themselves on the setting one of the league’s wayward talents back on track.
Of course, it wasn’t actually that simple, and Sixer fans were rightly incredulous at both the criticism levied by the Inside the NBA analysts on Tuesday, and the way it was later regurgitated as tough-love truth-telling on Thursday. It did seem to have an effect on Embiid in the Boston game, and undoubtedly it was a positive one for the night, but while the message got through to JoJo, you have to wonder if the larger lesson was one that might ultimately do more harm than good.
It’s important to start by saying what most folks reading are no doubt already acutely aware of, which is that the Inside the NBA hosts are not actually NBA experts. Not to say they have nothing of value to offer, as entertainers, as former greats of the game or even as analysts. But to be an NBA expert, you have to both understand how the NBA game is currently played, and know the strengths, weaknesses, styles and strategies of those who play it. And these three guys do not.
Read the rest of AU's article calling Barkley and Shaq basically full of shit right here.
There are still some Kinetic Reaper Spike Eskin Pro Model zip up hoodies left. Kinetic was only doing pullover hoodies, Spike objected, so Kinetic made only 30 of these in the color and style Spike picked. You can either get them in-store, or get one right here online. Use code DAVE SILVER to get 9.1% off your first order.
These are being shipped and in the wild, and man they look great. The first ever Rights To Ricky Sanchez winter beanie, available now in the store for $19.99. Also in the store and in stock, Process or Die, Al Horford Appreciator, and Death Wreath. And a great gift for the sixth man fan in your life, the Mike Scott autographed poster from Live Ricky IV.
Fuck Boston, as always ...
-K
